Campaigners celebrate as X-ray machine is installed
Patients will no longer need to travel to Canterbury hospital
An X-ray machine which campaigners have fought to have in Faversham for many years has been installed.
When the minor injury unit was saved by Faversham Medical Practice in September, the main aim for the future was to secure an X-ray facility for the community. The practice in Bank Street will now offer the service from 10am until 4pm and may extend these hours in demand increases. It was officially opened on Tuesday, when doctors past and present, health campaigners, MP Helen Whately and Mayor of Faversham Shiel Campbell cam together to celebrate.
Health campaigner, chairman of the Friends of Faversham Cottage Hospital and Health Centres and town councillor David Simmons has been an integral part of the process and welcomed the installation. He Said this week: “The Friends have been campaigning for many years for Faversham to have its own X-ray facility so that people do not have to travel to Canterbury when frail and unwell. “We are also pleased that patients in the Cottage Hospital will benefit from it being close by. “Raising funds for the X-ray has been the focus of our fund raising for some years. “We shall continue to raise funds for our local health services as new challenges present themselves.
In September, Faversham Medical Practice started the contract to run the Minor Injury Unit, which was at risk of being closed after an announcement in 2013. After a long campaign to save the unit, health bosses announced that the facility had been saved last year.
The X-ray project leader Gaurav Gupta said: “We are delighted that Faversham now has the long awaited X-ray facility. “We are very grateful to the people of Faversham who campaigned vigorously to keep the Minor Injury Unit open, and through their legacies, donations and fundraising have enabled the Friends of Faversham Cottage Hospital and Community Health Centres to fund the preparatory work and the purchase of the X-ray equipment.”
The chairman of Faversham Health Matters, Brenda Chester, said: “ I am delighted that Faversham finally has an X-Ray service, as do all the other main towns in Kent. “It has been a long journey of over a decade of campaigning “Since November 2013 when CCG suddenly announced it was closing the Minor Injuries Unit, the campaign accelerated to first retain the minor injury unit and, second, ensure it included and X-ray service.
Faversham Medical Practice to provide an x-ray room
“You will be pleased to know that work has begun at Faversham Medical Practice to provide an x-ray room.
Following on from this will be the actual installation of the long awaited x-ray machine for patients provided by the Friends.
ALL IF THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF LOCAL PEOPLE
Brian Tovey of The Faversham Bike Ride presents Cllr David Simmons
Brian Tovey of The Faversham Bike Ride presents Cllr David Simmons with a cheque representing surplus funds arising on the winding up of the Bike Ride fund.
Faversham Minor Injuries Unit to Remain Open
AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF OF CAMPAIGNING, FAVERSHAM MINOR INJURIES UNIT IS TO REMAIN OPEN AND OFFER X-RAYS!
The NHS Canterbury and Coastal Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has awarded a contract to Faversham Medical Practice, effective from the end of August 2015.
The unit will be equipped to provide an X-ray service, which is expected to begin within six months of the start date. The facility will be for injuries and for GPs to refer patients to, saving them from having to travel for treatment.
THE ROLE OF THE FRIENDS OF FAVERSHAM COTTAGE HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES HAS BEEN HUGELY SIGNIFICANT AS THEY ARE FUNDING THE X-RAY EQUIPMENT, IT’S SETUP COSTS AND HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO FUNDING THE NECESSARY RADIOLOGY AND ELECTRICAL SURVEYS ON THE PREMISES AS PART OF THE TENDER PREPARATION WORK.
